Skanda-Devasena worship in ancient Central, East, & North India

Lord Skanda & Sri Devasena enjoyed extensive worship in ancient Bharatvarsh

Several clans, kingdoms worshipped them as tutelary deities (Kul Devta)

Their worship was popular among the general populace too

Following are some architectural references of ancient Kaumara worship in various states

a) Odisha:

Here, Skanda-Devasena were primarily worshipped as Parshwa Devtas

One or more shrines were allotted to them in the outer walls of the temple

i) Bhadreswar Temple, Cuttack:

  • This shrine dates to approx. 10 C.E.
  • Here, Lord Skanda is depicted as 4-armed and as holding a bow and arrow
  • His upper left hand holds a serpent, & His lower right hand portrays Varada mudra
  • Goddess Devasena stands beside Him, beautifully ornamented
  • Her left hand is placed over Her thigh, and Her right hand portrays a mudra
  • A peacock & a figurine are seen beside Lord Skanda
  • A striking feature is the exquisitely carved head gear of the Lord
  • The shrine still witnesses worship, rice & coconuts are offered to the Divine Couple

ii) Mohini Temple, Bhubaneshwar:

  • This shrine dates to 9th century A.D.
  • It depicts a 2-armed Skanda along with His consort Devasena and His peacock
  • Devasena holds a flower/ peacock food in Her L.Hand while Her R.Hand rests on Her thigh

iii) Markandesvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar:

  • This Skanda shrine is very similar to the one at Mohini temple
  • However, the peacock is carved with greater attention to detail
  • Dates to the end of 8th century A.D

b) Chattisgarh:

iv) Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada:

  • This Shanmukha sculpture is seen in the Yagya Shala of this famous temple
  • The Lord is seated on a peacock with Sri Devasena beside Him
  • Dates to 14th century A.D

c) Bihar:

v) Mundeswari Temple, Paunra:

  • This Skanda-Devasena stele dates back to 6th century BC
  • Currently housed at Patna museum
  • Lord Skanda is portrayed with His arm on Sri Devasena's shoulder
  • There is also a halo surrounding His head
  • A peacock is seen behind the Couple

vi) Nalanda Temple (site-2):

  • Here, Kartikeya is seen with a spear in his hand and as feeding His peacock
  • Devasena is seated beside Him, which is a rare feature
  • Dates to 7th century CE

d) Uttar Pradesh:

vii) Kannauj Museum - 1:

  • A stunning stele featuring Sri Skanda-Devasena
  • Lord Skanda is seen holding Devasena's right hand, left hand holds a flower bud
  • The Divine couple seem to be having a leisurely conversation

viii) Mathura Museum - 1:

  • Part of the famous Mathura excavation
  • Lord Skanda is portrayed with a spear and as displaying Abhaya mudra
  • Devasena stands beside with one hand on her hip & the other holding a flower

ix) Kannauj Museum - 2:

  • Skanda-Devasena stele dating back to 700 CE
  • Sri Devasena is seen with folded hands & worshipping Skanda with reverence
  • A special feature is the unfurled feathers of the peacock behind Lord Skanda

x) Mathura museum - 2:

  • Gupta era Skanda dating (6 - 7) CE
  • Skanda flanked by Devasena (marked in blue) & an attendant on either side
  • Head surrounded by halo similar to Skanda from Mundeswari temple

e) Madhya Pradesh:

xi)

  • Skanda-Devasena stele belonging to Chandela dynasty
  • Features a 4-armed Skanda feeding His peacock, with Devasena beside Him
  • Somewhat similar to the stele from Kannauj museum

xii) Lakshmana Temple:

  • Built by King Yashovarman of Chandrateya Dynasty, 10th century
  • Portrays Lord Skanda as 6-headed (3 at the front, 3 behind), 4-armed, holding Sri Devasena's hand
  • A special feature is the band of musicians depicted at the bottom

xiii) Sri Skanda Vishwaroopam:

  • Very rare sculpture of Lord Skanda in His universal form
  • The Lord is flanked by Sri Devasena on the and a devotee on either side
  • Sandstone, Gupta era, (4 - 5) CE

f) Rajasthan:

xiv) Hawa Mahal, Jaipur:

  • Here, the Lord is shown seated on a peacock in Sukhasana posture
  • He holds a lotus in His hand
  • Devasena is seated on His lap with one hand on His shoulder & the other feeding the peacock
  • Dates to 18th century A.D

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Reference:

A Study of the Skanda Cult (S.S. Rana), Karttikeya the Son of Shiva (Shakti M. Gupta), Iconography of Karttikeya (V.Sandhiyalakshmi), Manasataramgini, Ghumakkad Engineer, Srinibash Samal, Google search


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